Note: This has been re-edited as of 3/18/2009

GRAVITATION
by Yih

"Love—is anterior to Life—
Posterior—to Death—
Initial of Creation, and
The Exponent of Earth—"
- Emily Dickinson

3. A Conversation

Seattle 2008

Edward POV

It was impossible to get to her when lecture was over because everyone got up and blocked me whenever I tried to maneuver over to her. I lost sight of her when she disappeared outside of the room and I was certain that I wouldn't get to see her again until tomorrow and I was disappointed.

"Hello," said an impossibly beautiful voice and even before I turned in its direction I knew it was her.

She was standing, leaning against the wall, waiting for me. She was gorgeous, absolutely breathtaking. I took a deep breath and she smelled even better closer up than she had from far away. It was definitely freesias, I decided. There wasn't a better flower to describe her scent.

I was dreadfully relieved that my heart didn't beat anymore or else she would be able to hear my excitement. She cleared her throat and I noticed then that she wasn't smiling, but her eyes looked amused and curious – friendly enough. I stepped over to her until we were standing face-to-face. I directed my full concentration at her and I still couldn't hear her thoughts. It was aggravating to say the least.

"I understand now," she remarked, breaking into a smile.

What had she figured out? I was confused.

"You look thwarted," she explained. "More so before than now."

How did she know I was frustrated that I couldn't read her mind? Was she too a mind reader? I had never met one before except for Aro of the Volturi; of course, that didn't mean they didn't exist. All of a sudden, I was acutely aware that if she was capable of reading minds, then she would hear all my private thoughts and I was extremely embarrassed.

"I'm Bella," she said, holding out her hand. "You are…?"

"Edward," I responded slowly, taking her hand and momentarily tempted to lift it to my lips as I would have a century ago before such courtesies had gone out of fashion. I shook her hand and released it, fairly certain that my brief panic that she was a mind reader was entirely uncalled for. "I'm pleased to meet your acquaintance."

"So proper," she said.

I wondered desperately what she was thinking as she studied me. For once, for all the times I had heard girls her age admire me to my disgust, I wanted her regard. I wanted her to find me pleasing, as pleasing as I found her.

"Walk with me?" she asked, tilting her head to the direction of the exit.

I nodded and I was careful not to stand too close as to get into her space, but close enough that the scent of freesias danced into my nostrils. I wanted to tell her how good she smelled to me; however, that would be too forward.

We left the medical school building and were immediately outside in the bustle of activity on the sidewalk and the streets. By focusing on her, I kept my mind from being infiltrated by the many surrounding voices. I looked up at the dark gray clouds in the sky when I felt a raindrop hit my cheek.

Seattle was quite dreary and wet, perfect for our kind. I wonder if that was why she was here. I wanted to ask her so many questions, wanted to know so many things that I didn't even know how to begin. I was quiet instead, walking beside her, thinking. What should I say to break the silence?

"I hope—" I began.

"Do you—" she started.

We both looked at each other and turned away abruptly, the only sign of our mutual embarrassment. I was glad I could no longer blush because I am sure my face would be beet red right now.

"You first," I said, recovering quickly.

"No, you."

I glanced at her from the side, she looked relaxed enough except for the way she kept moving her hand to her face to push back her hair. It wasn't windy and her hair wasn't even in her face. It was different to read her via her actions, even her expressions. I relied so much on being able to pry into the mind to understand people. Now I didn't have that luxury.

"I hope you don't mind me asking," I began hesitantly, "but… why medical school?"

A smile lit upon her face and I couldn't quite read the emotions behind it. There were too many flittering across and it was impossible to adequately name any of them with the exception of one descriptor – it was warm, her smile.

"I was inspired," she said simply before turning to me with inquisitive eyes. "What about you?"

I didn't know how to answer her. Should I tell her the truth? It was hardly an impressive answer. I was here because there was nothing better to do and Carlisle thought that it would do me some good to brush up on my medical knowledge incase he ever needed an assistant. I thought Esme would have made a better choice; she had more control over her bloodlust than I did. The only reason I could think of was that I had already gone to medical school once before out of the drive for knowledge. It would be easier for me to learn it again than for her to learn it from scratch.

The only question really was why did Carlisle even need assistance when he worked in a hospital that had nurses and other staff… but whatever, I had gone through the ridiculous application process, which made applying to an undergraduate university seem like child's play. I was here now and I had to admit, I was enjoying medical school, even if it wasn't for the reason that Carlisle would want.

"You don't have to answer if it bothers you," she said, luring me from my thoughts.

"It doesn't bother me," I answered quickly, looking at her, trying to read her. I was fairly certain she would appreciate honesty. "I just don't know how to answer," I told her, which was true enough. "It's odd, isn't it? Being in medical school when we are what we are?"

"It is rather unusual," she agreed. "I'm surprised to find anyone else that would do this actually."

"It takes a lot of control."

She nodded. "I noticed your eyes when you walked in."

"I noticed yours too."

"How long have you been—" her voice broke off and she abruptly stopped walking. "I'm sorry, I really shouldn't be asking you so many questions. Sometimes I'm far too curious for my own good."

"No, go ahead."

I don't know why I didn't mind her prying into my life. I was typically a very private person, but it seemed like I had known her for longer than the scant few hours since I had laid eyes on her. I suddenly wondered if Alice had seen this – me and Bella walking randomly down a street in no particular direction, talking.

I tried to recall if Alice had been doing anything peculiar in her thoughts, like singing a retarded pop song or reciting designer labels. But no, Alice was Alice the last time I saw her. There was nothing to make me suspect anything. It was a little strange that she hadn't seen this and been bouncing off the walls in excitement and not telling me what was coming. It was unlike her.

"How long have you been… the way you are?" she asked.

"Nearly a century," I answered just as my cell phone started ringing loudly.

It was an obnoxious ring and I automatically knew who was calling me – Alice. I would have changed the ring, but whenever I did Alice could see it and would immediately change it back whenever she could get my phone away from me, which wasn't hard when she was looking for a way. She said it was highly important that she could reach me at any point and it did make sense, but still… did the ring have to be this annoying?

"Sorry, but it's important."

Bella gestured for me to go ahead and I pushed the talk button.

"EDWARD!" Alice exclaimed in her shrill voice. "I saw you at the medical school and then all of a sudden you disappeared from sight. What the hell is going on? Where are you? Are you okay?"

Since when did anyone disappear from Alice's sight? This was Alice we're talking about and there wasn't anything she couldn't see, although the truth of her visions weren't always accurate. Of course, they were just possibilities that were dependent on choices. Regardless, Alice was never unable to see something if she really wanted to see it.

"I'm fine," I said. "Are you sure that you're not just trying too hard?"

Sometimes when Alice tried too hard, it made it difficult for her to grasp the vision hovering at the edge of her consciousness.

"I'm not trying too hard. I can't try when I can't see anything!" she retorted.

I looked at Bella and she was politely standing there, trying to make it seem like she wasn't eavesdropping on our conversation, but it was hard when even a human could hear what Alice was saying on the phone without too much of a problem. Where was Alice's discretion?

Hmm… well if she couldn't see me, then she didn't know I was with someone.

"Alice," I said, "can I call you back later?"

"Later? I want you to come home now and I want you to sit down so I can stare at you and figure out what's going on. I want a vision of you doing something, not this giant void in my head! Come back now, Edward or—"

"I can't. I'm busy."

"I don't care if you're busy—"

"I'm with someone," I muttered, knowing that was the only way to get her off my back.

"What? Oh…" At first, she sounded surprised then her voice took on a conspiratorial edge. "Well then, have fun and be safe!"

I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye before she hung up on me. I glared at my cell phone, imagining the kinds of torturous questions Alice would ask if I walked through the front door. I was really glad at this moment that I had decided to live away from home, although it really wasn't that far driving as fast as I did. I needed to make sure that Alice wouldn't want to pop in for a surprise visit.

It's not that I didn't want Bella to meet Alice or the rest of my family, I just wanted to get to know her a little better and to keep her to myself for a while. Everyone in my family had someone of their own, maybe Bella could be that someone for me. I groaned to myself, I was getting far too ahead of myself. This was only our first conversation!

"That was amusing," Bella remarked.

I jerked my face toward her and couldn't for the life of me decide what the expression on her face meant. Was she curious? Was she annoyed? What on earth was she thinking after hearing that conversation?

"You should tell her not to worry about her lack of visions."

I stared at her, not knowing what to say to that.

She tilted her head and her hair cascaded to the side. "He probably won't like this, but I think I can trust you. I have this feeling…"

I knew what she meant, I felt like I could tell her anything, which was absurd considering the short amount of time we were technically acquainted. It was nothing for a human and much less for a vampire.

"So can I?" she asked, smiling and dazzling me. "Can I trust you?"

I nodded.

"I'm a shield," she said as if that explained everything, which in a way it did. "And you have a mental power, I believe."

"I'm a mind reader," I responded.

"Ah." She paused, looking intently at me, making me slightly nervous. "That makes perfect sense. Does your gift require touch?"

I shook my head. "I can hear the thoughts of anyone at a certain distance."

"Incredible."

I rolled my eyes, a modern way of expressing myself that I had acquired in recent years. "Your gift is fairly astonishing as well."

"Touché."

She was still smiling and I was pretty sure I was smiling right back at her. There was something about this girl that called to me. It wasn't just her ravishing scent or her glorious beauty. It was her essence that drew me. I wanted to know more of her. It was the first time since I woke and found myself a vampire that I was glad of it – for it gave me this chance.

A chance for what, though?

"Edward," she said and my name sounded sweet from her lips, "my ride is here."

I saw a dark gunmetal BMW parked at the side of the road with its back taillights flashing in a towing zone. I wanted to grab her hand and tell her that I didn't want her to go, but who was I to do that?

"I'll see you tomorrow," she said, waving as she opened the door.

I lifted my hand to wave back at her. "Have a good day!"

"You too!" she shouted before she got into the car.

I caught a glimpse of a man, another vampire in the BMW just as it sped away. I watched the car disappear into the distance, wondering who that man was with her. What was he to her? I was aware that I was jealous, envious, and it was all irrational. It wasn't like she was mine. Maybe she was his…

What an unpleasant thought. I sighed. I had no choice but to wait until tomorrow.

To be continued…

A/N: I took some liberties as the writer to change a few things, like Alice not being able to see Edward when Bella is there. I would like to think Bella's powers would grow over the years and regardless, she's a bit of a different kind of shield than in the books, but that's my license as this is an AU. I hope the story is still as intriguing as ever and I hope you're enjoying Edward's POV in the present. Also, the chapters will probably gradually lengthen, this chapter is several hundred words longer than previous ones

Please review, it makes my day and brings a smile to my face! (200+ hits for the last chapter with 31 story alerts only 8 reviews, you guys can do better than that, right?). ^_^.

Released: 2/28/2009